Match Centre: Gallagher Premiership: Northampton Saints 35-34 Bath Rugby

Northampton Saints 35-34 Bath Rugby, Franklin's Gardens

Northampton Saints began 2025 in dramatic fashion, edging league leaders Bath Rugby 36-34 at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.

A last-minute penalty by fly-half Fin Smith clinched the five-point win after an action-packed encounter featuring ten tries.

The home side surged ahead in the first half with three tries inside the opening 15 minutes. Josh Kemeny opened the scoring with a well-timed step infield, capitalizing on a tipped pass from Rory Hutchinson.

Fraser Dingwall added a second after a brilliant attacking sequence involving Smith’s chip and Alex Mitchell’s diagonal pass, while James Ramm’s weaving run from a lineout extended Saints’ lead to 19 points.

Bath responded with two tries from Joe Cokanasiga and Orlando Bailey, narrowing the deficit. However, Saints secured the bonus point before halftime when Smith’s deft grubber found George Hendy, who spun over the line.

Trailing 26-12 at the break, Bath showed their class in the second half. Will Stuart scored their third try from close range, and Max Ojomoh capitalized on a defensive error to glide over.

With Cokanasiga adding his second try, Bath took the lead as Finn Russell’s accurate boot kept them in contention.

Despite setbacks, including injuries to Alex Coles and Temo Mayanavanua, and a yellow card for Alex Mitchell in the closing stages, Northampton stayed resilient.

As the clock turned red, Bath conceded a penalty at the breakdown, handing Smith the opportunity to secure victory. The young fly-half kept his composure, slotting the decisive kick to give Saints a thrilling 36-34 victory.

The win propels Northampton Saints into the new year with confidence, showcasing their ability to challenge top teams under pressure. Bath, despite the loss, remain league leaders but will look to address defensive lapses in their next outing.

Team line up:

Northampton: Hendy; Freeman, Dingwall (capt), Hutchinson, Ramm; Smith, Mitchell; West, Langdon, Davison; Mayanavanua, Coles, Kemeny, Pearson, Augustus.

Reserves: Walker, Haffar, Green, Lockett, Pollock, Scott-Young, McParland, Seabrook.

Bath: Bailey; Cokanasiga, Lawrence, Ojomoh, Muir; Russell, Spencer (capt); Obano, Dunn, Stuart; Roux, Molony, Pepper, Reid, Barbeary.

Reserves: Tuipulotu, van Wyk, du Toit, Ewels, Underhill, Schreuder, Bayliss, Coetzee.